Core Ingredients of Surfside Iced Tea
At its heart, the Surfside Iced Tea formula is intentionally straightforward, differentiating it from many other pre-packaged alcoholic beverages. The core components create a clean, crisp, and authentic flavor profile that has contributed to the brand's rapid success. The primary ingredients are premium vodka, real tea, natural flavors, and a specific type of sweetener to keep the calorie count low.
Stateside Vodka: The Foundation
The alcoholic base of Surfside is not a malt liquor but rather a premium, seven-times distilled Stateside Vodka. Stateside is a Philadelphia-based brand known for its clean and smooth spirits. This choice of a high-quality vodka base is a significant factor in Surfside's flavor, providing a pure alcohol component that avoids the artificial or syrupy aftertaste sometimes associated with malt-based hard teas. Additionally, this makes the product naturally gluten-free.
Real Brewed Tea: Authenticity in Every Sip
One of the most important ingredients is the use of real brewed tea. The company emphasizes that it uses actual steeped tea rather than a flavor concentrate or powder. This commitment to authenticity is a core part of the brand's appeal and is what gives Surfside its natural, familiar iced tea taste. The type of tea varies slightly depending on the flavor—for example, the original is made with real black tea, while the green tea variety uses real green tea with notes of honey and ginseng.
Natural Flavors and Sweetener
To round out the flavor profile and create the various fruit-forward options, Surfside uses natural flavors. The brand also uses an artificial sweetener to keep the sugar and calorie content low, a key selling point for many consumers. For the original Iced Tea + Vodka, the ingredients include vodka, real tea, natural flavors, and artificial sweetener. This combination provides the desired taste without the added sugar or high fructose corn syrup often found in other sweetened beverages.
Surfside's Expanded Flavor Ingredients
While the classic Iced Tea is the brand's top seller, Surfside has expanded its lineup to include a variety of other flavors, each with its own unique ingredient notes. These variations still rely on the core formula of Stateside vodka and real tea, with additional elements for flavor.
- Peach Iced Tea: Incorporates real brewed peach tea for a fruit-forward, refreshing taste.
- Raspberry Tea: Features natural raspberry flavors combined with the real tea and vodka base.
- Green Tea: Brewed with real green tea and includes honey and ginseng notes for a unique taste.
- Half & Half (Iced Tea & Lemonade): A blend of real brewed tea and natural lemon flavors.
- Lemonade Flavors: Varieties like Raspberry Lemonade and Strawberry Lemonade use natural juice and flavors to achieve their taste, all mixed with the signature Stateside vodka.
Surfside vs. Competitor Ingredients
To better understand what makes Surfside different, it's helpful to compare its ingredient list and characteristics to common competitors in the ready-to-drink (RTD) market.
| Feature | Surfside Iced Tea | Malt-Based Hard Tea (e.g., Twisted Tea) | Hard Seltzer (e.g., White Claw) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alcohol Base | Premium, gluten-free Stateside Vodka | Fermented Malt Liquor | Fermented Cane Sugar |
| Tea Source | Real brewed tea, not from concentrate | Often uses tea flavorings or concentrate | Not applicable; no tea used |
| Carbonation | Non-carbonated, no bubbles | Often lightly carbonated | Highly carbonated |
| Calorie Count (12oz) | Approx. 100 calories | Varies, often higher with more sugar | Approx. 100 calories |
| Sweetener | Artificial sweetener used for low sugar | High sugar content, often from corn syrup | Contains sugar from the fermentation process |
| Caffeine | 34mg caffeine from real tea | Typically contains caffeine | Caffeine-free |
Conclusion: A Simple and Authentic Formula
For anyone asking what are the ingredients in Surfside Iced Tea, the answer highlights a strategy of authenticity and simplicity. The brand uses a premium vodka base, real brewed tea, and natural flavors to create a non-carbonated, low-calorie canned cocktail. This deliberate choice of quality ingredients and a straightforward recipe gives Surfside a clean taste profile that stands out in a crowded market filled with malt-based and artificially-flavored competitors. It is this commitment to real ingredients that has cemented its status as a rapidly growing favorite for those seeking a refreshing, no-frills, ready-to-drink alcoholic beverage.
Key takeaways
- Stateside Vodka: The alcohol base is a premium, seven-times distilled, and gluten-free vodka from Stateside Brands.
- Real Brewed Tea: The authentic iced tea flavor comes from using real brewed black tea, not concentrates or powders.
- Low Calorie and Sugar: Surfside is formulated with an artificial sweetener to keep it at 100 calories and 2 grams of sugar per can.
- Natural Flavors: The various flavors, including Peach, Raspberry, and Lemonade, are derived from natural flavorings.
- Non-Carbonated: A key characteristic is the absence of bubbles, a deliberate choice that contrasts with most hard seltzers and malt teas.
FAQs
Is Surfside Iced Tea gluten-free? Yes, Surfside Iced Tea is certified gluten-free, thanks to its Stateside vodka base and other ingredients.
Does Surfside Iced Tea contain real tea? Yes, the manufacturer confirms that Surfside is made with real brewed tea, not just flavorings or concentrates.
How many calories are in a can of Surfside? A standard 12-ounce can of Surfside Iced Tea contains just 100 calories.
Is Surfside Iced Tea carbonated? No, Surfside is a non-carbonated beverage, which distinguishes it from hard seltzers and some other ready-to-drink cocktails.
What kind of alcohol is in Surfside Iced Tea? The alcohol in Surfside is Stateside Vodka, a premium spirit distilled in Philadelphia.
What are the key ingredients in the original Surfside flavor? The original flavor contains Stateside vodka, real brewed black tea, natural flavors, and an artificial sweetener.
Does Surfside Iced Tea contain sugar? Yes, it contains a low amount of sugar, with the original variety having just 2 grams of sugar per 12-ounce can.
